Democratic gains deepen pressure on Israel’s opposition to unite against Netanyahu

Democrats’ midterm sweep may increase pressure on Israel’s divided opposition to unite and replace Benjamin Netanyahu, whose close alignment with Donald Trump has weakened bipartisan support for Israel in the US. Opposition leader Yair Lapid says Israel must rebuild trust with American lawmakers, but newly elected Democrat Brad Lander argues that a charm offensive would miss voters’ concerns about human rights and international law.

The dispute comes as US support faces criticism from both parties. Lander and two incoming Jewish members of Congress called for the release of Palestinian Israeli journalist Abed Abu Shehada, whose lawyers say he was detained and questioned about a podcast interview. Meanwhile, JD Vance cited the relationship with Israel as one source of voter anger, and Trump proposed ending $4bn in annual military aid, alarming Israel’s defence establishment.